Vellore Fort, Vellore - Timings, History, Architecture, Best Time to Visit

About Vellore Fort

At a distance of 1.5 Km from Vellore Town Railway Station, the Vellore Fort is a 16th-century fort situated in the heart of the Vellore city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the famous heritage sites near Chennai, and among the must include places in Vellore tour packages. The fort is distinguished by its impressive ramparts, expansive moat, and sturdy masonry. Vellore Fort stands as a prime example of military architecture in South India and is one of the unique constructions in the country. Additionally, the fort represents secularism, as it houses a temple, a mosque, and a church within its premises.

The fort exemplifies the Dravidian architectural style. Spanning an area of 133 acres within a rugged mountain range, it is encircled by a deep moat that once teemed with approximately 10,000 crocodiles, serving as an additional defense mechanism against potential invasions. The structure features imposing double walls with irregularly projecting bastions and ramparts wide enough to accommodate two carts side by side. It has been noted that 'no other fort in the world resembles the one in Vellore.' Constructed from granite, the fort contains a temple, a mosque, a church, and various other buildings that currently function as public offices, including Tamil Nadu's oldest police training center.

History of Vellore Fort

Vellore Fort was constructed in 1566 CE by Channa Bommi Nayaka and Thimma Yadhava Nayaka, who were chieftains under the Vijayanagara emperor Sadashiva Raya. The fort gained strategic importance after the restoration of Vijayanagara authority, with Chandragiri designated as their fourth capital following the Battle of Talikota. In the 17th century, the Aravidu Dynasty, which held the title of Rayas, utilized this fort as a stronghold during the battle of Toppur in 1616. However, in the 17th century, the fort fell into the hands of the Adil Shahis, the Muslim rulers from Bijapur, who were responsible for the massacre of Sriranga Raya and his family. The demise of Sriranga Raya marked the end of the Vijayanagara dynasty.

Following the Bijapur Sultanate's rule, the fort was seized by the Marathas in 1678 after a lengthy fourteen-month siege. The Mughals subsequently captured the fort in 1707, maintaining control for the next 53 years, during which they constructed a mosque for the local Muslim community. The British acquired the fort in 1768 and held it until India's independence. During British rule, the fort served as a prison for the family of Tipu Sultan and Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Sri Lanka. Notably, the fort was the site of the Vellore Sepoy Mutiny in 1806, marking the first significant military uprising against British rule in India.

Attractions in Vellore Fort

Jalakandeswarar Temple

The Jalakandeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, exemplifies the architectural style of the Vijayanagar period. This temple was built by Chinna Bommi Nayaka, a subordinate of Sadasivaraya of the Vijayanagara dynasty in the mid-16th century CE. The successive Vijayanagara rulers were responsible for the construction of the temple's inner enclosure, expansive outer enclosure, along with the ornate Kalyana mandapa and vasantha mandapa.

Initially, the temple functioned as an arsenal prior to the installation of the Lord Shiva idol. It features two courtyards, with a principal shrine encircled by a closed pathway and several subsidiary shrines. Within the Garbhagriha, the main deity, Jalakandeswarar, is represented in the form of a Shivalinga. Additionally, Goddess Sri Akilandeswari Amman is enshrined in a separate sanctum within the temple's inner enclosure. A statue of Nandi is positioned in front, facing the sanctum of Sri Jalakandeswarar.

St. John's Church

St. John's Church, situated within the confines of Vellore Fort, was constructed in 1846 by the Government of Madras to serve the officers and personnel of the East India Company military station. Named in honor of St. John the Evangelist, it stands as the oldest active church in the Vellore Diocese. The church grounds serve as the final resting place for British soldiers who perished during the Sepoy Mutiny in 1806. Numerous inscriptions within the church preserve the historical significance of this sacred site. Regular worship services continue to be conducted at this church.

Nawab Chanda Sahib Mosque

The Nawab Chanda Sahib Mosque, situated within the confines of the fort, was established in 1750 during the reign of the last Arcot Nawab. The entrance to the mosque is located on the northern side of Vellore Fort. Built from brick and lime, this mosque exemplifies the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and includes a prayer hall that measures 40 feet in length and 15 feet in width. A prominent dome, accompanied by minarets, is positioned at the center of the mosque. The interior features elaborate floral designs. While the mosque remains in excellent condition, it is currently not used for prayers.

Archeological Survey of India Museum

Government Museum inside the Vellore Fort is a multipurpose museum maintained by the ASI. The museum holds 2896 exhibits in a cluster of its eight galleries and has different types of articles and artifacts relating to subjects such as anthropology, botany, geology, numismatics, pre-history, and zoology. Historical monuments of the erstwhile composite North Arcot district are gracefully depicted in the gallery. Sculptures from the Vijayanagara period, Cholas, and Pallavas are also exhibited here.

Vellore Fort Timings

Monday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Saturday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM
Sunday: 8 AM - 12:30 PM & 2 PM - 6 PM

Vellore Fort Entry Fee

Entry Fee is Rs. 15

Best Time to Visit Vellore Fort

The optimal period to explore Vellore Fort is during the winter months, specifically from November to February, when the weather is mild and enjoyable, allowing for a thorough exploration of the fort's various sections. Mornings are the most favorable time of day for a visit. Additionally, the monsoon season from July to September presents another excellent opportunity to visit the fort, as rainfall is minimal and conducive to sightseeing. Conversely, the summer months of March to May can be quite warm, which may render extended outdoor activities less comfortable.

How to Reach Vellore Fort

Located approximately 126 kilometers from Vellore, Chennai International Airport serves as the nearest airport, offering extensive flight connections to nearly all major cities across India and internationally. Katpadi Junction, situated on the outskirts of Vellore, provides regular train services to various cities, including Chennai, Bangalore, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Mangalore, Trivandrum, and Coimbatore. The Vellore Bus Station is well-connected with frequent bus services to Chennai, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, Chittoor, Tirupati, and Bangalore. To reach the fort, one can hire a taxi or take a bus from Vellore Railway Station, which is located about 1.5 kilometers away.